Types of units

Designations
Loading
Design considerations
Maintenance

API Documents
• Spec 11E Specification for Pumping
Units
• RP 11G Installation and Lubrication of
Pumping Units
• API STD 11E Pumping Units
• API BUL 11L4 Curves for Selecting
Beam Pumping Units
 Egyptian Sucker Rod Pump
476 AD
Wooden Walking Beam

Rope

Water Well

Goat Skin with Rocks Stone Jar

Standard Rig - Pre 1923

First Lufkin Built Pumping
Unit Central Power Unit

• Built in 1919
• Reducer had
worm
gearing
• Pumped 30
wells at once

Solution to Counterbalance
Problems
• Gear problems lead
to better
counterbalance
• W.C. Trout patent
dated 1926
First Gear Driven Pumping Unit - 1923

Different Geometry Units

Tower Units

Hydraulically
Powered Units
 Two – in - One

Three – in - One

Smaller Hydraulic Units: CBM?

Limited or no Motion at Surface

Dynapump Dynasave Economizer VSH2

Economizer has no noticeable

motion at surface. All are
predicted to give more required
surface maintenance than
VSH2mini
regular beam pumps. Details on
all in report.
 • Air Balance
• Mark
• Conventional

AIR
BALANCE
UNIT

•Best for deep wells needing

large CB
•Use where max stroke
lengths are required
•Hi volume applications
•Remote locations, platform /
test units
•Most flexible in making
counterbalance adjustments
 AIR
CYCLINDER
FOR AIR
BALANCE UNIT

MARK II
UNIT
•May increase production
•Deep high volume
production
•Steel rods (may compress
FG)
•Medium to small subsurface
pumps
•Use with POC
•High gravity/ low GOR fluids
•Less peak torque
•216” Max Stroke, 1,824,000
in-lbs GBT max rating
 Reverse Mark

Reverse Mark is a modified conventional unit where the

gearbox has been displaced forward so that the angle
between the crank arm and the pitman is at 90 degrees when
the cranks are level. This results in a faster downstroke than
the upstroke.

CONVENTIONAL
UNIT

•Use in shallow wells, high speed units

•Fiberglass rods can be used
•Lowest initial cost
•Better for fluid pound
•Good salvage
•Large diameter subsurface pumps in shallow
wells
•Low gravity fluids, relatively high GOR
•Stroke Length to 260”, GBT to 1824000 in-lbs
 Conventional Unit

K
P

Stroke length up to 260”

Torque rating up to 1824000 in-lbs.
API Standardized Pumping Units
in the Early 1960’s.

See API Specification 11E

PK TORQUE RATING IN MAXIMUM STROKE

LENGTH IN INCHES
THOUSANDS OF IN-LBS

C-228D-246-86
A- AIR BALANCE
B – BEAM BALANCE
C – CONVENTIONAL POLISHED ROD RATING
IN 100’S OF LBF’S
M – MARK II
LP – LOW PROFILE
RM – REVERSE MARK
Double Herringbone

Single
Herringbone

C-912D-365-168

168”

912,000 in-lbs.

36500 lbs..
Designation, Continued
GEARBOX TORQUE: A function of the
pitman arm pull on the gearbox shaft.
The torque varies with the crank
position. The peak torque occurs twice
on each crank revolution for a
somewhat balanced unit. The gearbox
must handle the peak torque. The GB
rating is in 1000’s of in-lbs.

Designation, Continued
BEAM LOADING – the maximum
polished rod load (100’s of lbs.) .
Caused by the buoyant weight of
the rod string, the fluid load and
possible acceleration forces.
Designation, Continued
STROKE LENGTH – The maximum
stroke length in inches. There can be
shorter stroke lengths, with different
locations of the crank pin, but the unit
designation is the maximum stroke
length.

API Gearbox Ratings API Structural Ratings API Standard Stroke’s,

in
80 48
114 143 54
160 173 64
228 200 74
320 213 86
456 246 100
640 256 120
912 305 144
1280 365 168
1824 427 192
2560 470 216
240
 Factors affecting beam
unit torque loading
Increase rod string weight -increases torque
Increase stroke length - increases torque
Increase pump diameter -increases torque
Increase strokes per minute -increases torque
Unit rotation - depth and unit
dependent
Out of balance - increases peak torque
Pump off well - increases peak torque
 Factors affecting
beam unit polished
rod loading
Increase rod string weight -increases PRL
Increase pump diameter - increases PRL
Pump well to low fluid level -increases PRL
Pump at higher speeds -increase PRL
Being out of balance -increases PR
Oversized or NEMA B motor -increases PR

PUMPING UNITS
• GEOMETRY
• SIZE AND LOADING
• ROTATION
• STROKE LENGTH
• TEMPERATURE EFFECT
ON LUBRICATION
• BALANCING
• AND MORE
 UNIT GEOMETRY

• Efficiency gains and losses in different

geometry units are primarily the result of
varying dynamics of each unit and the
ability to better utilize other energy saving
design considerations with those different
dynamics.
• Unless you are purchasing new units, the
best geometry to use is the one that is
available. Savings are insignificant
compared to purchasing equipment.
 SIZE AND LOADING
• There is a relationship of unit loading
and efficiency.
• The heavier loaded the unit the
greater the unit efficiency(up to
100%).
• Greater losses occur when the unit is
very lightly loaded (i.e.. less than
30%-40%)

ROTATION
• Unit rotation does have an effect on power
consumption.
• The most efficient rotation is unit, depth,
and design specific.
• Most conventional units within Companies
(West Texas) run more efficiently in the
positive (+, clockwise) rotation.
• Gearbox, rod and motor loads most often
increase when running the most energy
efficient rotation. This may be a trade-off.
ROTATION DEFINITIONS
• Positive (+) rotation in when the crank
arm falls toward the Samson post.

• Negative (-) rotation is when the crank

arm falls away from the Samson post.

• Other conventions are with PR to right,

the unit rotates CCW or CW

Clockwise Rotation

Well at right side

 Running in Opposite Rotation for Beam
Units
1- Lufkin says there is no problem for their units and all
modern American units. There are hundreds of units running
in the so-called reverse direction in W. Texas.
2. Lufkin says that some older single helical gear units do
better in only correct direction for lubrication.
3. Field advises that H or HD National units, Parkersburg,
EMSCO and some old American units do better for
lubrication in only + direction.
4. Of course Mark II’s are designed to rotate in only one
direction but even they have been specifically run “backward
with fiberglass rods to try achieve long downhole stroke…it
is not advised.

STROKE LENGTH

• Stroke length is a secondary consideration for

efficiency (see pump section). It should be adjusted
to best fit the overall design condition that yields the
lowest combined installation and operating costs.
• In general, longer stroke lengths will provide more
efficient pumping systems, up to a point.
EFFICIENCY

STROKE LENGTH
 These results show once you have a 168 inch stroke, further increases in stroke length don’t help energy
consumption that much!!

AND MORE
• UNIT ALIGNMENT can have
a small effect on efficiency.
Out of align units can
cause more friction
between the polish rod and
the stuffing box. This will
also lead to tighter stuffing
boxes to prevent leaks.
• DRAGGING BRAKE will
reduce efficiency obvious
effects.
• BAD OR POORLY
LUBRICATED BEARING will
lead to reduced efficiency.
 Maintenance
Although manufacturers have recommended
preventative maintenance programs for their
equipment, the frequency of maintenance of
inventory has been a function of experience and the
degree of loading of the equipment.
A plan should be set up for regular maintenance
and it should be followed.
The cost of a good preventative maintenance
program is small compared to the cost of replacing
equipment.
Lease Operators are the primary source of
surveillance for pumping equipment. They
regularly visit the location and can evaluate the
operation of the equipment and perform some of
the maintenance.

Equipment Maintenance, cont.

The unit should be manually shut down and
electrically locked out/ tagged out, and the
weights secured with chains or another suitable
technique before work is performed within the
counterbalance weight travel path. Do not
depend on the brake holding ! ! !
On a monthly basis look for:
leaks in wellhead piping
• stuffing box leaks
• changes in flowline pressure, an increase in
annulus pressure (if a back pressure valve is
installed)
 Maintenance
Monthly Checks, cont.
• instrumentation cables hanging on equipment
• polish rod bending, cracking or wear
• proper alignment of the bridle on the horses head
• fraying or wear on the bridle cable (a rusty bridle
should
be cleaned, inspected and coated with a wireline
lubricant -
not a solvent)
• movement of the pumping unit base while pumping
• erosion of the material below the pumping unit base

Maintenance
Monthly Checks, cont.
• all bolts in place and tightened (a line marked across the
top of the bolt after tightening can highlight loss of
displacement)
• rust stains that indicate metal rubbing against metal
• equal spacing between the unit cranks and pitman arms
• leaks in the gearbox or bearing seals (crank pins, center
bearing and equalizer bearing
• crank pin looseness (shut down immediately for
repair)
• oil level in the gear reducer
 Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance, cont.
• V-belt looseness and wear
V-Belts should be tightened until a
few pounds of finger pressure applied
midway between he sheaves will
depress a belt one of tow inches. Belts
that are too tight will shorten the life of
the reducer bearing sand motor
bearings. Belts too loose may slip or
turn over in the groove causing belt
damage. Belt dressing shouldn’t be
used on V Belts. Sheaves should be
aligned with a straight edge of string to
prevent excessive belt wear.

Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance, cont.
•proper ground wire connections at the well, motor,
controller and pole
Listen for:
• noises that are not normal
• grinding, thumping, rattling or banging
• squealing or slapping belts
•determine the cause of noises and report to
maintenance
• noticeable difference in peak motor loading on the
up and downstroke
 Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance, cont.
• there is considerable difference in loading throughout
the pumping cycle in normal operation
• heaviest loading occurs when the weights or fluid load
are being lifted and not between
• report problems to a Supervisor if not trained to act

Smell to detect:
• motor burn
• rubber deterioration (belts slipping)
• other unusual odors

Maintenance
The brake is not intended as a safety stop but for operational
stops only. When working around the unit, be sure to fix
cranks and weights using a chaining system.
Check the unit brake every 90 days:
• inspect the lining for wear and clearance
• inspect the drum for cracks around the hub and key
areas
• check the pawl notches for chips, cracks or breakage
• inspect the rubber covering on the cable. Replace if
cracked to prevent moisture from getting in and
freezing up the cable.
Lubricate bearings on a regular basis.
 Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance, cont.
Periodic gearbox inspections:
• timing depends on operating environment and
degree of loading but each 6 months is a
guideline
• remaining life expectancy could influence
timing
• check gearbox teeth for abnormal wear
• scoring (vertical lines from the tip to the
base of the tooth) indicates insufficient
lubrication
•pitting indicates overloading
• collect a sample of gearbox oil in a clear
container and visually inspect for dirt, sludge,
and water emulsion

Maintenance
• filtering gearbox oil can extend the useful life of
the
lubricant
Excessive stuffing box maintenance can be due to
misalignment, excessive tightening or from the well
periodically pumping dry because gas has broken
out of solution or the well is severely over-pumped. A
back pressure regulator can alleviate problems if the
stuffing box is dry due to periodic slugs of gas
production.
• equipment should be adjusted if misaligned
• stuffing box rubbers should only be tightened
enough to prevent leakage
• Huber sells a coated stuffing box rubber that is
self lubricating and resists breakdown when the well
is pumped dry
 Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance, cont.
If wellhead pressures require excessive
tightening to prevent leakage consider
installing a high pressure stuffing box with
automatic adjusting seals.

The unit base should be level and stable

during operation. Movement of the unit
base during operation will increase wear on
the polished rod and stuffing box rubbers.
Visually check for movement during
operation. Wellhead movement can indicate
problems with the casing supporting the
well head.